‘Allies don’t treat each other this way’: Pakistan fury at US aid freeze

Pakistani protesters burn the American flag in anger after the US withdrew aidArshad Arbab/EPA

Pakistan’s government and military officials responded with fury and scorn overnight as the US confirmed that it was suspending most military aid to Islamabad, days after President Trump criticised the country for harbouring terrorists.

The move by the US, announced by the State Department yesterday, involves the freezing of at least $900 million (£665 million) in financial assistance until Pakistan takes “decisive action” to cut off covert support for Islamist groups, including the Taliban and its feared affiliate, the Haqqani network.

Amid mounting American frustration at Pakistan’s chequered history of tackling jihadist groups, President Trump aimed a broadside at Islamabad via Twitter on New Year’s Day. In his first tweet of 2018, the president lambasted Pakistan’s “lies and deceit”, saying it had played America’s leaders…

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